Period silver

[jocelyn plummer]

Can anybody point me in the direction of a suitable reference book to help me identify French silver--- I understand that the marks, if any, are different. All to do with a set of napkin rings circa 1890, thought to be French. Also how do I do an acid test?

 

[LadyArowana]

French marks much more difficult than English ones, I don't have this, but it's what I would try if I needed the reference.

http://www.amazon.com/International-Hallmarks-Silver-Collected-Tardy/dp/0911403078

 

[Keith Bowman]

There is so much available free on the internet now that I would be surprised if there is nothing about French silver marks. Surely an acid test is only applicable to gold, which is more or less inert and doesn't dissolve in acid? Don't try it on silver :shock: :shock:

 

[jocelyn plummer]

The book looks interesting! Anyway, yes I will google, should give me all I want to know! The acid test suggestion came from a Dealer who said to look carefully at the rings and see if there is a tiny' nick' or scratch where one could do an acid test just to see if the copper reveals itself---- I was a little surprised by that!

 

[LadyArowana]

The book looks interesting! Anyway, yes I will google, should give me all I want to know! The acid test suggestion came from a Dealer who said to look carefully at the rings and see if there is a tiny' nick' or scratch where one could do an acid test just to see if the copper reveals itself---- I was a little surprised by that!

I don't think that's a good idea at all, not on something the size of a napkin ring. A much bigger piece with plenty of scope for inconspicuous places, maybe. The reference material you can find for free on the net will probably allow you to determine if it's French silver or plated anyway. Good luck. By co-incidence one of the jobs on my to do list is to get a jam spoon replated. Not economically viable really as in many ways it would be better to just buy a new solid sterling one, but it has sentimental value for the man.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

one of the jobs on my to do list is to get a jam spoon replated

I think you can get a kit for doing that!

Regarding my napkin rings, If I still cannot be sure I will get a second opinion from another specialist!

 

[Zebra]

Try this Jocelyn for French hallmarks?
http://www.925-1000.com/Ffrench_menu.html

 

[LadyArowana]

one of the jobs on my to do list is to get a jam spoon replated

I think you can get a kit for doing that!

Regarding my napkin rings, If I still cannot be sure I will get a second opinion from another specialist!

I think that would be my option of last resort, it would probably be messy and involve buying all sorts of hobby supplies which I would then have to keep "in case they are useful again" I'm hoping to find a little workshop that will just do the job in exchange for some lovely British pounds. There was a place listed not too far from us in London, will require on the spot investigation.

 

[Penners]

I certainly wouldn't be doing any kind of potentially destructive test (no matter how small) except as an absolute last resort. If you can get a reference book on French hallmarks, that should hopefully tell you what you need to know without any damage to the napkin rings.

 

[atticman]

You might find this useful too:

www.silvercollection.it/frenchhallmarks.html‎

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Well, there's not a mark to be found :shock: I have turned them all around and around with the spyglass and cannot see a thing---- neither could the Dealer I asked last week--he did say that sometimes French silver is not marked----- so it's off to find another opinion!